The Life of the Bee 



ordained, that they should hold them- 

 selves tranquil so long as they remain on 

 the back of the bee. They patiently bide 

 their time while she visits the flowers, and 

 constructs and provisions her cells. But 

 no sooner has an egg been laid than they 

 all spring upon it ; and the innocent col- 

 letes carefully seals down her cell, which 

 she has duly supplied with food, never 

 suspecting that she has at the same time 

 ensured the death of her offspring. 



The cell has scarcely been closed when 

 the triongulins grouped round the egg 

 engage in the inevitable and salutary com- 

 bat of natural selection. The stronger, 

 more agile, will seize its adversary be- 

 neath the cuirass, and, raising it aloft, will 

 maintain it for hours in its mandibles until 

 the victim expire. But, while this fight 

 is in progress, another of the triongulins, 

 that had either no rival to meet, or already 

 has conquered, takes possession of the 



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